Improvement in platform-scale protectors



D. A. GILBERT.

PLATFORM-SCALE PROTECTOR.

Patented May 9,1876'.

4PLFI'ES. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE DAVID A. GILBERT, OF MORRISVILLE, VERMONT.

IMPROVEMENT IN PLATFORM-SCALE PROTECTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l77,235, dated May 9, 1876; application filed f April 2e, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID A. GILBERT, of Morrisville, in the county of Lamoille and State of Vermont, have invented a new andl 'which- Figure l represents a longitudinal vertical section of the platform and covering, and Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same.

Similar letters of reference in the accompanying drawings denote the same parts.

My invention relates to platform-scales for weighing hay or other bulky substances; and consists of a covering or protector for the platform of such scales. l

It is well known that in ordinary'platformscales for weighing heavy substances the platform on which the loads are driven or placed is flush with the surface of the ground, or with the surrounding frame-work, so as to constitute one level surface, for facilitating the placing or removal of the articles to be weighed; but in order that the platform may have free and unobstructed movement within its frame some spacennust be left between the platform and surrounding timbers. This, as the surfaces are all flush, is liable to be clogged with any small fragments that may fall in, and, in the colder climates, is certain in winter to be lled, at times, with ice or snow. Such accidents render them useless until the obstruction is removed, and this often involves a considerable amount of labor and time.

So far as I am aware there has been no couvenient covering for such exposed scales, ex-V ience in handling; but the parts may be put together in any suitable way.4 Over this curb iits a cover, C. It is shown in section in both the figures, and is composed of a top, d, and iiange e. This flange fits as closely over the outer edge of the curb as is consistent with free vertical movement of the cover. The iiange must be of such depth that, in the utmost vertical movement of the platform on which it rests, the top of the cover shall not,

-on the one hand, rest on the curb, nor, on the other, shall the cover ever be lifted vso high as to allow the flange to rise above the curb. The cover is represented as resting on the plat-form through deep beams f f, which are steadied on the said platform by means of pins entering therein. The cover itself is fixed to the beams.

Instead of these beams it is obvious that posts of the proper number and length may be used, the sections of the cover resting on them as on legs, and these legs, being formed with the lower ends of the suitable shape, rest iirmly in corresponding holes in the platform.

The cover, as intimated above, may be made in sections, two or three, or more, as may be found convenient, according to circumstances.

The lower platform, also, may, if it be preferred, be omitted, and the beams or posts which support the cover may stand directly on the beams below. This may be done to advantage where Vit is never desirable to remove the curb and use the platform in the oldvway. The ange may also be placed 011 the inside, but will operate better on the outside, as I have shown it.

In the operation of my improved platformscales the cover, it will readily be seen, operates as the platform when it is in place. The load is driven upon it in the usuall way, a removable incline, as shown in the drawing, being used, as the platform must be necessarily raised above the surrounding surface. The cover, as before described, is allowed suflcient vertical movement to accommodate the motion ofthe scales, which, in other respects, may be of any ordinary construction. The curb, being closely fitted around the edges, keeps out the water, or any substance which would tend to fall directly into the crevice around the ordinary platform, while the dan ge upon the cover efectually prevents any dust or snovv from driving in over the curb.

With my improvement exposed platformscales can be used in the winter in northern climates without danger of clogging, and as the parts are all removable the scales may, when desired, be used in the ordinary Way.

The curb may be held to the frame by pins, or in any suitable Way.

Instead of the removable curb the framework which surrounds the platform may be raised above the surrounding surfaces, and the cover or upper platform shut down over that in the same Way as I have shown it shutting down over the curb. The frame, in that case, would constitute the curb.

Having thus described my invention7 what I claim as new is- 1. In a platform-scale, an elevated curb surl DAVID A. GILBERT.

Witnesses:

GRENVILLE LEWIS, F. MCKENNEY. 

